Car-coupling



C. P. OLIDHAM.

GAR comuna.

(No Model.)

Patwted NGV. 28, 1893.

mgl.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARRICK P. OLDHAM, OF KNOXVILLF., TENNESSEE.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 509,552, dated November 28, 1893.

Application filed February 28, 1893. Serial No. 464,073. (No model.)

To all whom, it may conceive:

Be it known that I, CARRICK P. OLDHAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Knoxville,in the county of Knox and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Automatic Car-Coupling, ot' which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in car couplings.

The object of the present invention is to simplify and improve the construction of car couplings, and to provide an inexpensive one which will couple automatically and -which maybe readily uncoupled, without necessitating going between cars.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings-Figure l is a perspective View of a draw-head constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a trans- 'verse sectional view.

Like numerals of reference indicate correa sponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

designates adraw-head provided at its top with ailange 2 and having on the bottom of its link cavity an oppositely beveled catch 3, which may be formed integral with or secured to the draw-head, and which is adapted to engage a link 4; and the latter is secured in its engagement with the catch 3 by a slide 5, which closes the space directly above the top of the catch. The top wall of the draw-head at the front thereof inclines downward from front to rear, and is provided with a longitudinal groove forminga wayg the inclined portions 6 of the wall at opposite sides of the groove 7 serve to force the link over the oppositely beveled catch; and the slide 5 is arranged in the groove 7. The slide is actuated by a spring 8, which is disposed on a rod or bolt 9, extending rearward from the back of the slide and mounted in a cross-piece 10 at its rear end, the spring being interposed between the back of the slide and the front face of the cross-piece l0. The slide is provided adjacent to its front end with a depending portion ll, which may form a part of or be secured to the slide 5; the depending portion is adapted to be engaged by the link entering the draw-head, the link first striking against the front of the slide which, after the link has engaged the oppositely beveled catch, is moved forward by the spiral spring 8 to a position directly over the top of the catch to retain the link in engagement with the latter. The strain on the link tends to force the slide against the top of the groove, which forms a firm bearing for the slide, and the latter cannot be weakened or injured by such strain and serves to contlne effectually the link in engagement with the catch. The depending portion 1l bears on the bottom of the drawhead and supports the slide, and has depending from it an arm l2, which projects through a slot or opening 13 in the bottom of the drawhead, and is designed to be connected with any suitable means for operating the slide from the top or sides of a oar.

It will be seen that the car coupling is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, that itis positive and reliable in operation, and that it will couple automatically, and may be readily uncoupled Without going between cars. It will also be apparent that the longitudinally movable slide 5 has a continuous bearing against the top wall of the draw-head, which is solid thereat, whereby when the front portion ot' the slide is interposed between the liked catch and the top of the draw-head it cannot be moved rearward or upward by any upward movement or jolting of the link and release the latter.

Changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction maybe resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention. The depending portion ll holds the link forward and maintains the same in a horizontal position to direct it into the mouth of another draw-head for uncoupling, and at the same time strengthens and supports the arm or rod l2.

l. In a' car coupling, the combination of a drawhead having a solid top portion and provided on its bottom with a fixed oppositely beveled catch, and a longitudinally movable slide mounted in the draw-head and having a continuous bearing against the top wall of the draw-head and being held against upward movement thereby, and having a forwardly extending substantially rectangular portion, lling the space between the top of the catch and the top wall of the draw-head, and thereby confining a link in engagement with the catch, substantially as described.

2. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head provided on its bottom with a fixed oppositely beveled catch, and having the upper wall of its link cavity inclined from front to rear and provided with a longitudinal groove, and a longitudinally movable spring actuated slide arranged in the groove and projecting over the catch, substantially as described.

3. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head having the front Wall of its link cavity inclined at the top and provided with a longitudinal groove, said draw-head having an opening in its bottom, an oppositely beveled fixed catch arranged on the bottom of the draw-head, a longitudinally movable spring actuated slide arranged in said groove and having a depending portion, and an arrn secured to the depending portion and projecting through the opening of the bottom of the draw-head, substantially as described.

4. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head provided on its bottom with a catch, a slide mounted in the draw-head, and terminating at its front end over the catch and provided with a depending portion adapted to engage a link, and arranged in rear of the catch, and provided with a depending arm, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aftlxed' my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CARRICK P. OLDHAM.

Witnesses:

M. H. DooLEY, G. M. HAINES. 

